The Mascot Slot

Abstract

Caricatures of American Indians that would not now be tolerated if they portrayed other racial or ethnic groups are institutionalized in school, university, and professional sport teams and disseminated by local, national, and internationalmedia outlets. Drawing on Aihwa Ong’s concept of cultural citizenship and adapting Michael-Rolph Trouillot’s notion of the “savage slot,” this article argues that the “mascot slot” assigned to Native Americans is an allegorical form of cultural citizenship that offers a significant obstacle to full participatory citizenship. Demolishing the mascot slot is a prerequisite for full cultural recognition and participatory citizenship for Native Americans.

Multiculturalism and Antiracism in Sports? U.S. Public Opinions about Native American Team Names and Mascots and the Use of Hijabs in Sports

“…As previewed by our third hypothesis, older generations, rural residents, and self-identified conservatism were consistently and negatively associated with supporting multiculturalism and antiracism in sports. Thus, we see further evidence that dominant status and in-group identities are bolstered by traditionalism in defending the status quo and resisting changes toward multiculturalism and antiracism (King 2016;Kraus et al 2019;Martí 2020;Strong 2004).…”

“…We draw from a critical perspective to consider sport symbols, values, interactions, institutionalized practices, and interpretations as contested terrain for establishing cultural citizenship and broadly defined racial/ethnic meanings (Brayboy 2006; Guiliano 2015; Strong 2004; Toffoletti and Palmer 2015). That is, sports reflect and provide opportunities to shape our notions of who is included and excluded as particularly valued members of cultures, and these contestations frequently involve racial and ethnic dimensions.…”

“…Native American team names and mascots emerged more than 100 years ago from settler colonialism ideologies that dehumanized, mistreated, and systematically eliminated indigenous peoples (Davis 1993; Guiliano 2015; Staurowsky 2007). Stereotype activation from Native American team names and mascots can lead to contemporary, tangibly negative consequences for Native American individuals, too, such as declines in self-esteem (Burkley et al 2017; Leavitt et al 2015; Strong 2004). Regardless, the cultural appropriation and frequently insulting depictions of Native Americans signal a dismissal of Native Americans as full cultural citizens, worthy of integration and respect in the United States (Davis 1993; Guiliano 2015; King 2016; Staurowsky 2007; Strong 2004).…”

“…Multiculturalism involves efforts to promote understanding, appreciation, and cohesion among members of diverse societies and to encourage social, cultural, and emotional harmony; it is often paired with antiracism efforts to eliminate racial/ethnic inequalities (Gerteis, Hartmann, and Edgell 2019; Hartmann 2015; Kendi 2016; Knoester, Ridpath, and Allison forthcoming; Spencer 1994). Research on multiculturalism and antiracism typically stresses the need for individuals and societies to work toward increased sensitivity, social inclusion, appreciation of diversity, and appropriate means of addressing the past mistreatment of racial and ethnic minorities in particular (Bell and Hartmann 2007; Cooper 2019; Duncan 2011; Hartmann 2015; Kendi 2016; Spencer 1994; Strong 2004). We perceive multiculturalism as the antithesis of the perpetuation of extreme, inhumane racial/ethnic inequalities (e.g., genocide, enslavement, hate crimes) and a frequent companion to antiracism initiatives.…”

“…Prejudices, misunderstandings, and stereotypes about different racial and ethnic groups are frequently enacted and reified through sports interactions (Allison, Knoester, and Ridpath 2021; Bonilla-Silva, Goar, and Embrick 2006; King 2016; Knoester and Ridpath 2020; Knoester et al forthcoming; Leonard 2017). Relatedly, sports interactions are replete with messages, practices, challenges, and sometimes changes with regard to who is valued, who belongs, and who is excluded in different contexts (Allison et al forthcoming; Carrington 2013; Knoester and Ridpath 2020; Knoester et al forthcoming; Samie and Toffoletti 2018; Strong 2004). These processes involve contestations for cultural citizenship.…”